An ornamental pear is a tree that is grown for its value in landscape rather than for its fruit. Most do not produce fruit at all and are cultivated instead for their beautiful spring flowers, colorful fall leaves, and attractive shapes. All varieties originated with the Pyrus calleryana variety in China. This species is commonly known as the Callery or Bradford pear.
Most of these fruitless trees grow quite tall and may reach over 60 feet (18 m) tall, with an attractive rounded or slightly pointed silhouette. The elongated glossy leaves are dark green on top and pale on the undersides. In fall, they may turn bright pink, red, purple, or bright orange, though they change color fairly late in the season. Masses of strongly-scented white flowers appear before the leaves in early to mid-spring.
Unlike many other ornamental trees, the pear requires very little care. It simply requires plenty of direct sunlight and rich soil that is well-drained and slightly acidic. A layer of mulch should be applied in the spring to help prevent the tree from drying out during the hot summer weather. Most varieties are winter hardy to USDA planting zone 5.
While these fruitless trees are not usually prone to significant pest infestations or diseases, they can occasionally suffer from root rot, leaf scorch, leaf spots, or fire blight. When these diseases do occur, they need to be recognized and treated early, as they can cause the death of the trees. Pruning should be done on a yearly basis, in late fall or early winter, to remove any branches that show signs of disease.
The ornamental pear is very susceptible to weather damage and the trunk will often split in high winds or under the weight of heavy winter snow. Branches and limbs will break off, leaving a mess and an unsightly, damaged tree. Sometimes an entire tree will be uprooted and toppled over during a storm. As a result, an ornamental pear should always be planted in an area that has some wind protection.
While they are appreciated by gardeners and landscapers for their beauty, these trees are considered an invasive species in some areas of the United States. Though they were previously thought to be sterile and unable to spread, when ornamental pear trees are planted close together, they may cross pollinate and produce viable seeds that are spread to other areas by birds. The seeds then grow into new trees that will flower in as little as three years.